Event:Mechanical engineering students from Carnegie Mellon University's senior design class will demonstrate a cache of new consumer products that span health care, sports and home energy efficiency systems.

"This is our traditional capstone course for engineers that tests their innovative and problem-solving skills as they create unique prototype products for consumers," said Levent Burak Kara, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon.

Eleven student teams will showcase products ranging from an automated tennis ball sorter that tests and sorts tennis balls based on their elastic properties to a new window blind system that provides both thermal insulation and sound proofing for residents with noisy neighbors. Students also will showcase a new design for crutches to assist individuals struggling to navigate stairs and other challenging mobility obstacles.